Three strategies OKC Thunder can use to fix shooting issues
Option 1 – Acquire Shooting
This is the most logical option but given the Thunder’s lack of assets, its tough acquiring quality shooters with fresh air. Sam Presti must get to work and turn lemons into lemonade because shots like these aren’t conducive to winning:
Felton air ball three - adding to his ZERO percent perimeter efficiency this season although it doesn't stop him from attempting 2.4 long balls per game. pic.twitter.com/wz1o2s9ujb
— Tamberlyn Richardson (@TTOTambz) November 10, 2018
Very little assets to trade:
Oklahoma City cannot trade a first round pick until 2024 thanks to the Stepien Rule which prohibits the trading of picks in consecutive seasons. With the 2020 first rounder heading to Orlando and 2022 to Atlanta, the Thunder are strapped for high end assets.
OKC have two second-round picks in 2020 and 2021 available for trade. With the one and done rule set to be removed at the completion of the 2020 season, the 2021 draft stands to be the first where high school students are pro-eligible making it the Thunder’s most valuable asset.
With such assets, a blockbuster transaction appears to be unlikely unless the Thunder take part in a multi-team deal. However due to salary cap constraints, contracts incoming must match those outgoing. If OKC is comfortable paying more luxury tax, they have a $10.8 million dollar trade exception (TE) created from the Carmelo Anthony deal.
Low risk, high reward candidates
There are a number of shooters available but the most notable name is Cleveland Cavaliers Kyle Korver. The Cavs are seeking a future first round pick for the 37 year old services but that seems unlikely given how much stock teams place into first rounders. Philadelphia is aligning themselves with making a deal after the Jimmy Butler trade and has slightly more assets to play with than OKC.
The Thunder are likely to scour the market for buy-low candidates. Troy Daniels, Dragan Bender, Frank Kaminsky, Justin Holiday and Anthony Tolliver are some of the available names on the market who won’t require much to pry from their current situations.
Abdel Nader and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot figure to be trade chips as neither one has played meaningful time; strange considering OKC went out of their way to acquire them. Terrance Ferguson was once viewed as a trade candidate but has won the affections of coach Billy Donovan.
With one spot left on the roster, it remains to be seen if Presti elects to use it on a shooter.